Production Manager
Production teams are the lifeblood of any manufacturing organisation, so the role of the production manager is a pivotal role that links the employees on the shop floor and the senior managers and directors on the board. As production manager, you’ll be taking strategic and operational instructions from the board with regard to productivity, and converting them into actions that maximise profits for the company.
As with any managerial role, your day will partly be taken up with technical work – ordering materials, keeping machinery and supply chain operational etc. – but will also be spent dealing with personnel, whether that’s recruitment, motivation and discipline, or planning human resources for projected or seasonal needs. Of course, in larger companies, much of this work can be delegated, but you’ll still be responsible for making sure the goals of the company are met by steering the production department.
Production skills required
Production is a huge subject, covering the entirety of the manufacturing sector, so a production manager in a certain sector will have a very different set of responsibilities to one in another. Experience in a particular sector will therefore stand you in good stead within that industry, thanks to a knowledge of regulations, compliance and technical details too. Production manager jobs are often advertised through sector-specific channels for this reason.
That said, many of the skills of the production manager are transferable, especially in related sectors, so you shouldn’t be put off if an exciting role is advertised in an industry tangential to your current one. Skills such as communication, attention to detail, good planning and speed of learning will always be sought by companies hiring production managers.
Production Manager Jobs in the West Midlands
Home to a number of cities and towns, including Birmingham - often called Britain's Second City - as well as Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton, the West Midlands has long been a centre of industry and commerce for the UK and it's an ideal location for anyone seeking Production Manager jobs.
During the Middle Ages and throughout the Industrial Revolution, Coventry was known for producing wool and cloth. Meanwhile, other parts of the region were known for their metalwork - Birmingham for its small arms and Wolverhampton for locks, ironmongery and brass work.
In addition, the West Midlands region was a prime source of raw materials like coal and iron ore, something that became increasingly important throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
As time moved on, the focus of the region shifted and car manufacturing overtook the other industries, while bicycle production was also a large part of the local economy for many years.
Today, the West Midlands area is home to a number of tech companies, as well as food and beverage manufacturers, with Nikon, Hitachi maxell, Fujitsu, Muller Dairy Ltd, Bulmers Cider, Cadbury UK, Marmite, Coors Brewers and Bird's Custard just a few examples.
Other brands that call the area home include Michelin Tyres, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Volvo Group UK and the National Express Group.
Popular locations
Production managers and jobs found at Cast UK
At Cast UK, we only deal with professional level candidates, so you know you’re going to find an excellent shortlist when you use us for your recruitment needs. Our consultants use their own recruitment skills as well as our cutting-edge tech and extensive networks to source candidates who tick more of the right boxes for your positions. Call us on 0333 121 3345 to talk recruitment.
If you are an experienced production manager in any industry, there’s a good chance that brilliant companies are looking for your skills right now. Please follow the link below and fill in the registration form below.
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